A money laundering probe has been launched into ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich and his son Oleksander, it’s emerged.

The prosecutor’s office in Geneva confirmed the investigation as Switzerland moved to freeze any funds linked to Yanukovich.

“A penal investigation for severe money laundering is currently being conducted in Geneva against Viktor Yanukovich and his son Oleksander,” the prosecutor’s office said in the statement, adding it had opened the probe on Thursday.

It said prosecutor Yves Bertossa and the police had searched the office of a company owned by Oleksander Yanukovich on Thursday morning and seized some documents.

Switzerland said on Thursday it would order banks to freeze any funds in Swiss banks found to be linked any Yanukovich funds.